Several Fe-saponite catalysts have been prepared by different methods, namely, intercalation of the clay with polymerised Fe solutions, intercalation of the clay with polymerised mixed Al-Fe solutions, and impregnation of Al-pillared clay with Fe precursors. In all cases, Fe is effectively incorporated into the clay, usually maintaining the layered clay structure. The basal interlayer spacing of the solids, their specific surface area, their thermal stability against the layer collapse and their reducibility properties strongly depend on the synthesis procedure. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.